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FCC Publishes "White Spaces" Rules

Posted by timothy on from the dude-white-spaces-totally-rule dept.

Stellian writes "The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Second Report and Order that establishes rules to allow new, sophisticated wireless devices to operate in broadcast television spectrum on a secondary basis at locations where that spectrum is open. It's the first time we have access to clear specifications for these devices, dubbed TVBDs — 'TV band devices' by the FCC. The published guidelines allow manufactures to create protocols and build compatible devices, which could be available in 18 Months, according to Larry Page. The full PDF text of this Second R&O is published on the FCC site."

3 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Actually worse than I expected. by chaboud · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, TVBD's (whitespace devices) can operate on channels 21-51, except 37.
    So, wireless mics get 19 channels, minus TV presence. (37 is for radioastronomy)

    Unless it's two fixed-location devices talking to each other, then TVBD's can operate on 2, and 5-20. In markets with PLMRS, two channels will be reserved for wireless mics.
    Um 2-4? Minus TV?

    Except that TVBD's will be allowed to operate without geo-sensing, so they won't have any idea that they're in a PLMRS market.
    So, 2? Hello? Is this thing on?

    These TVBD's have been shown to interfere with TV at 40mW, and we're talking about devices that operate at 100mW? So the lesson here kids is that you should never bother buying an FCC license. You should just buy the people that make the rules. I can't wait for devices that allow for cheap (free would be better) internet everywhere, but this is not the FCC doing its job. Verizon and AT&T must feel like suckers for pouring money into Auction 73. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

    1. Re:Actually worse than I expected. by chaboud · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sure. 2 TV channels is 12MHz, and mics need between 100 and 500KHz each, but there's always intermodulation to ruin your day. Also, at a big event, with lots of broadcast coverage, you'll eat up 40 channels in no time. This is going to get really ugly really quickly.

      We will have at least one of the following in the next couple of years:

      - Interference that affects nearly everyone.
      - A somewhat-subjective standard that no devices pass FCC tests on.
      - An FCC reversal on this ruling.

      All of these are really bad.

  2. Erm. by cosmocain · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The database will be established and administered by a third party, or parties, to be selected through a public notice process to solicit interested parties.

    1. Such a database can't be operated at no (or low) cost.

    The locations where wireless microphones are used, such as entertainment venues and for sporting events, can be registered in the database and will be protected as for other services.

    2. Registering such devices will most propable cost money to keep up with the expenses needed for operating the database.
    3. To save money people won't register their devices.
    4. ???
    5. Pro...erm... Interference.